Rewinding mechanism for self-playing pianos.



PATENTED, MAR. 5, 1907.

H. MEYER v REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.23,1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

No. 846,419. PATE'NTED MAR. 5, 1907. H. MEYER.

REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION IILED DEO.23,1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEBT 2 W/TNESSES.

ATTORNEYS PATENTED MA 1901' H. MEYER. REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 23.1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 3 A TTORNE Y 8 INVENTOH fle rlnann M eyer PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907. H. MEYER.

REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF- PLAYING PIANOS APPLICATION FILED DEC.23,1905.

Q 6 TE? 17 SHEETS-SHEET 4 1 WITNESSES:

jzjmamjh er No. 846,419. PATENTBD MAR. 5, 1907.

, H. MEYER. RE-WINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

H APPLICATION FILED DEG.23.1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

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INVENTOI? (LiZZZ .lzfeg/er ATZTOHNEYS No. 846,419. I PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

' H. MEYER. REWIND-ING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS:

APPLIGATION FILED DBO.23, 1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

I 5 4 6 I z- Q W/TNESSES: lNVENTOl? BY 7! w I m ws No 846,419. 4 PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

H. MEYER. RBWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS. 7

APPLICATION FILED DEG/23,190 I '17 SHEETS-SHEEP? .1 r 21 2&3

WITNESSES. INVENTOH PATENTED MAR. 5. 1907.

H. MEYER. REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.23.1905.

' 17 SHEETS-SHEET a.

INVENITOR ESSES:

Jfrmarzn .Jlyer ATTOHNEYS PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907,

' H. MEYER.

REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 23. 1905 ssss:

INVENTOI? MEET/72am .l eyez" ATTOHNE Y8 No. 846,419, PAT-ENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

H. MEYER: REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED'DEG.23.1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 10.

WITNESSES: IN VE N TOR k z m J iez' No. 846,419. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

H. MEYER. 'REWINDIHG' MECHANISMPOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG. 23 1906.

17 SHEETSSHEET 11.

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W/ TNE SSE S:

PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 12.

A TTOHNE Y8 H. MEYER. REWIND'ING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLIOATION FILED DBG.23,1905.

. s 1-----11 \N :P w Q MN NAN \N PATBNTED MAR. 5, 1907.

, H.- MEYER. REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANQS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.23, 1905.

17 SHEETSSHEET 1s. 4

WITNESSES:

A TI'ORNE Y8 No. 846,419 I PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907,

H. MEYER.

I REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG, 23,1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 14.

llllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllll! Ill llll II II II II II llllllll ll IHI l K0754 10 127 3 ixmjlg mmnnunmmmmmq nunnnmuununnmpm 1111p W/TNESSES: INVENTOI? fz'rinanrz .JIg/cr ATTORNEYS PATENTED MAE. 5, 1907.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 237.1905.

.[7 SHEETS-$HEET 15 lNVENTOfi fl er/72am Jlger A TTOHNEYS No. 846,419. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907 H. MEYER.

REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOSQ APPLICATION FILED DE0.28.1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 1s.

No. 846,419. PATENTED MAR. 5, 1907.

H. MEYER. REWINDING MECHANISM FOR SELF PLAYING PIANOS.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.23,1905.

17 SHEETS-SHEET 17.

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HERMANN MEYER, on NEW YonK, N. Y.

Eipecification of "Letters Patent.

- Patented Marchfi, 1907.

Original application filed August 3, 1905, Serial No. 272,499. Divided and this application filed December 23, 1905- Serial'No. 293,079.

T all-whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, HERMANN MEYER, a

Bronx, in the county and State of New York,

. have invented a new-and Improved Rewinding Mechanism for Sel laying Pianos, of which the following is, a full, clear, and exact description, this being a division of the aptional plan view of the improvement on the line 13 13 of Fig. 1 and showing more particula'rly the main-valve connection between the pneumatics and the suction-chamber of the suction-bellows. Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross-section of the same on the line 14 14 of Fig. 1. Fig. is a face view of the main board for the action-pneumatics. Fig. 16 is a sectional plan view of the pneumatics for plication for Letters ,Patent of the United actuating the damper-rail, the stopping States for a self-playingpiano, Serial No.

-.27.2,499, filed by me August 3,1905.

" The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved rewinding mechanism for a self-playing piano arranged to allow the use of a single note-sheet containing a number of pieces of music, only one of which is played upon the introduction of a coin, the

' note-sheet being. automatically rewound at the end' of the 'last piece of music to start playing the first piece of music'upon the in-' Y troduction of another coin.

The invention consists of novel features and parts and combinations of the same,

which will be more fully described hereinafter I and then pointed out in theclaims.

- of the instrument.

A practical'embodiment of the invention is represented in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in

which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figures 1 and 1 are elevations of the front Fig. 2 is a transverse s'ection of thesame on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a like view of the same on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a similar view of the same on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1". Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of the improvement on Q Fig. 6 is a similar view of the same on the line 6 6 of Fig, 1". Fig. '7 isan enlarged transverse section of the improvement on the line 7v 7 of Fig. 1 andshowing more particularly the pneumaticval ve mechanism for controlling the ham' mer-rai'l, the damper-rail, the stopping mechanism, and, the indicating mechanism. Fig. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectionof the same on the line 8 8 of Fig. 1. 9 is an enlarged cross-section of the improvement on the line 9 90f Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a similar view of. thesame on the line 10 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is an enlarged transverse section of the improvement on the-linell 11 of Fig. 1. Fig. 12 is a face'view of'the right-hand-side connecting-board. Fig; 13 is'an enlarged secl mechan sm, and the note-sheet-rewinding mechanism, the section being on the line 16 16 of Fig. 18. Fig. 17 is a sectional plan Fig. 18 is a transverse "section ofthe same on the line 18 18 of Figs. 16 and 17. Fig. 19 is a sectional front elevation of the same on the line 19 19 of Fig. 16. Fig. 20 is an enlarged sectional front elevation of the speed-regulating valve and part of the rewinding mechanism. Fig- 21 is an enlarged front elevation of the mechanism for winding up and rewinding the note-sheet. Fig. 22 is an enlarged front elevation of the tracker-board and note-sheet. Fig. 23 is a cross-section of the coin-controlled mechanism,the section being on the line 23 23 of Fig. 24. Fig. 24 is a plan-view, of the same. Fig. 25 is a seetional front elevation of the same on the line 25 25 of Fig. 24. Fig. 26 is an enlarged rearelevation of the indicator mechanism; and Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic view of the motor and the two 1not0rcircuits. The strings A of the self-playing instrument are stretched on a string-frame A, ex- .tendingin the front of a soundingbo'ard A and held with the latter in the usual manner on the piano-frame B. (See Fig.' 2.) The piano-action for sounding the strings A may be of any approved construction. it preferably, however, consists of hammers 0, normally resting on a hammer-rail C and adapt' 1 on the under side of the said bottom B.-

Each lever E is pressed upward at its forward end by a' spring E and the said forward view of the same on the line 17 17 of Fig. 18.

to he descri'ted in detail.

. end is connected by a rod E with the mov- 11o 'nected with a suction-chamber G,

and journaled in suitable hearings in the lower portion of the frame B. and 4.) i

The crank-shai' t J is provided with a wormwhe'el J in mesh with a worm J secured. on the shaft J ofv a motorJ preferably of the electric type. When the motor is running, the suctionbellows J are actuated to exhaust air fromv the suction-chamber I, which in turn exhausts air from the valvechamber H and the suction-chamber G as long as the valve H is open; but if the valve H is closed and the motor J is running for rewinding purposes, as hereinafter more fully described,- then the valve-chamber H and suction-chamber G, and consequently the pneumatic-valve chests G and pneumatics F, are not affected.

The valve-chests G are provided with pneumatic-valve mechanisms, preferably of the construction shown and described in Letters (See Figs. 1

Patent of the United States No. 756,674,

granted to meApril 5, 1904, so that further detailed description of the said valve mechanism is not deemed necessary, it being deemed sufficient to state that each valvechest G is provided with an exhaust-chamber G and an inlet-chamber G connected by a flexible tube G with a tracker-board opening K in the tracker-board K, over. which passes the note-sheet L, having noteapertures L and unwinding from a roller N and winding up on a roller N when the instrument is playing. The tracker-hoard Kis fixed on an auxiliary frame Bi forming part of the main frame B, and the rollers N and N are journaled in suitable bearings arranged on the said frame 13 Then the instrument is in action and a note-aperture L registers with a trarkenboard opening K; then the corresponding valve mechanism in a valve-chest G isactnated to connect the corresponding pneumatic F with the exhaust-chamb er G to cause the pneumatic F to collapse. When this takes place, the movable member of the collapsing pneumatic F pulls the rod E downward to impart a swinging motion to the lever E against the tension of the spring E thereof, and this downward-swinging motion of the fron tend of the lever E causes the rear end thereof to move upward to lift the ward to allow the lever position, the hammer C moving pin E, and thereby impart a swingingmotion to the corresponding key I), which in turn causes its hammer-C to sound the correspending string A. As soon as the note-aperture L has passed out of register with its v tracker-board opening K then the air previously allowed to pass into the inlet-chamber G by may of the'tube G is now permitted to I escape or leak out to allow the valve mechanismto return to its previous osition, so that atmospheric air passes into t 1e pneumatic G to againin'flate the same. When this takes place, the rod E of this neumatic moves upthe pinE, and the key D and hammer C to assume their normal back to a position of rest against the rail C.

As shown in Figs. 1, 12, and.2,,the pneumatics F and the valve-chests G are secured to the front of a longitudinally-extending board. G,(seeFig. 15,) carrying at its rear the suction-bellows I and suction-chamber 1*. The sides of the tiers of neumatics F and valve-chests G are attached to transversely-extending connecting-boards G" and G (shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 12, respectively,)-and the said connecting-boards are su ported on the main frameiB.

11 order to cause the note-sheet L to travel downward over the tracker-board K in the direction of the arrow (1 for playing purposes, the following device is provided, spe cial reference being bad to Figs. 1 and 21: On the shaft N of the winding-up roller N is secured a gear-wheel N in mesh with a pinion N provided with a clutch member N", adaptedto be engaged by a clutch men'iher N, secured at one end of a shaft 0, mounted to turn and to slide in the direction of its length in suitable bearings arranged on the main frame B. The shaft is provided with a sprocket-wheel 0, over wl'ich passes a sprocket-chain 0', also passing over a sprocket-wheel secured on the crank shaft 0 of a pneumatic motor 0", used for imparting a rotary motion to the shaft 0', which by the sprocket-wheels G O and sprocket-chain O imparts a rotary motion "to the shaft 0. When the several parts are in the position as shown in Figs. 1 and 2]. and shaft 0 is rotated, then the clutch member N" engages the clutch. member to rotate the pinion N mounted loosely on the shaft 0, and the rotation of the pinion N is transmitted to the gear-wheel N5 and 'shaft N to turn the winding-up roller N with a view to wind up the note-sheet L that is, to cause the same to travel downward in the di rection of the arrow a. In order to rewind the note-sheet L at the end of the last piece of music on the note-sheet, the shaf O is shifted from the right to the left,-so that the clutch member N moves out of engagement with the slut? engagement with a clutch gear-wheel N in member N and moves into of the motoris "tube note-sheet L over the cording to the time in which the piece of the latter into a irore relative to the graduated opening P and the i .said slide-valve P is connected at its valvemesh with a pinion N meshing with a gearwheel N", secured on the shaft N of the unwinding-roller N. When the .clutch member N is in mesh with the clutch gear-wheel N and the shaft 0 is rotated, then the clutch gear-wheel N is rotated by the clutch member N and rotates the pinion N whichin turn rotates thegear-wheel N, shaft N and unwinding-roller N for the latter to wind up the note-sheet Lthat is, to cause the same to travel upward inthe inverse direction of the arrow 0. It is understood that during this operation the roller N is free to rotate, asthe clutch member N is out of engagement with the clutch member N and consequently the pinion N}- can rotate freely on the shaft 0.

The pneumatic motor 0 may be of any approved constructionsuch, for instance, as shown and described in the Letters Patent of the United States, No. 765,5O3, granted to me'July 19, 1904. The suction-chamber 0 connected by aflexible P with a chamber P, (see Figs. 1 and 20,) and this chamber 1? is in communication with a valve-chest P containing a slidevalve P, which is the controlling ortempo valve for the motor 0 and controls a graduated opening P, directly connected with the suction-chamber Iof, the suctionbellows I, so that when the valve P is open air is exhausted by way of the graduated opening P,

chest 1?, chamberP, and tube P from the controlling-valve O to cause the pneumatic motor 0 to start running, with a view to ro tate the shaft 0 for either driving the winding-up roller N or the unwinding-roller N for rewinding the note-sheet L, as hereinafter more fully explained. A pull-spring P is connected. with the slide-valve P? to Irove or less closed position stem P with one end of. over a guide-pulley l? speed-regulatmg lever P, fulcruired on the main frame B and under the control of an operator to enable the latter to shift the slidevalve P into a more or less open position, ac-. cording'to the speed, desired for 11". oving the tracker-board and aca chain P p2 ss'ing and connected with a music is written.

In order to control the motorJ for starting the instrument, a coin-controlled mech amsm is provided arranged in st. ch a manner that the introdrced coin closes the'mot'orcircuit, thus starting the motor J 5 for actuating the suction-bellows I. As the valve P is always open (more or less) andthe gradue' ated'opening P is directly connected withthe suction-chamber, I of the. suction-bellows I, it is e'videntthat air is exhausted from the controlling-valve O to start the pneumatic motor 0 and to keep the same .Figs. 1 and 13 running as long as the circuit is closed by hen the pneumatic 1 only one of which istplayed on the introduc- 1 tion of a coin, and in order to stop the. motor J automatically, and hence the pneumatic 7 I motor at the end of each piece of music the notesheet L is provided between adjacent 3 pieces of music with a stop-aperture L, 1 adapted to register with a' tracker-board opening K connected by a tube Q, with 1 air-chamber Q of a pneumatic valve Q (see a Fig. 8,) controlling a sto Q which in turn controls t e coin retaining and releasing device,

l machine. The valve Q is similar to the one 1 described in the Letters Patent of the United 1 States No.- 7 73,406, for a seltplaying piano, il-glrlanted to me October 25, 1904, so that furer deemed necessary, it being sufficient to state that the stoppingpneumatic Q? is connected by a channel Q with HJTLGXhMZSUGilfi-Illbfil Q", in communication by a port Q with a main chamber R of a windtached to the connecting-board G. (See The main chamber R connects by ports It (see Figs. 8 and 13) with the suc tion-chamber G in communication with the suctionviously stated, so as to exhaust air from the The chainoperation and the valve H is open. valve Q normally closes the exhaustber Q to the main chamber R, ishown in Fig. 8, while the chamber Q is connected by a port Q with the atmosphere. V\ hen a stopping-aperture L in the note-sheet L registers with a tracker-board ophening K 1 then air passes byway-of the tu the airchamber Q to close the chamber Q,

and to connect the said chamber Q by the port Q withthe main chamber B, so that air is exhausted from the pneumatic Q by -1 to collapse the said way ofthe channel Q? pneumatic.

Themovable mem er of 'the stoppingpnuematic Q is connected by'a rod Q with h the lever S of the coin- S. (See Figs, 23, 24, and 25.) ,The lever S is fulcrtmed at S onian. insulated plate "13, forming part of the main frame B, and the said lever 'S engages with it's slotted end a pm i junction with a fixed memb er 5 for holding i a coin T between the said members, as indi cated in Fig. 23, to keep the motor-circuit closed for the time being. The member S and to unwind from -'Ihe note-sheet L is preferably the i ping pneumatic and also thecounter I Q? for counting the coins introduced into the .85

detailed description of thesame is notgo Q chest-R, at- '5 chamber 1, as preas plainly I i 6 Q, llIltO I to actuate the valve Q tothe atmosphere controlled'mechanism S on the member S, operating in con- :2

is in the form of a disk mounted to turn on 1.30 

